“It was a really beautiful experience to be notified that I was chosen to represent our board and to make sure my issues and the issues of our board and my peers will be represented,” said Dendy.

“It’s definitely an amazing honour,” added MacPherson.

Both Dendy and MacPherson, who serve as advocates for students in their respective schools, look forward to advising the Minister on this year’s topic – student well-being. Both attended the introductory meeting of the council May 5 and will attend a week-long leadership camp with the Minister in August.

They will recommend several ways to improve student well-being including: improving supports for student mental health, enhancing special education programming so all students can be successful at school, making schools more inclusive for the LGBTQ community, and ensuring schools are more accepting of Aboriginal rights and culture.

“I want to make schools safe and supportive for everyone, so everyone gets the help they need in whatever situation they’re in whether they have shared beliefs or contrary beliefs,” said Dendy.

MacPherson will bring a wealth of experience to MSAC. She is the GDHS Student Council president, is a sitting member of the UCDSB Student Senate, acted as a stage manager for the school musical, and was a member of both the volleyball and badminton teams.

Dendy is a leading member of the TISS Radical Equity Movement Club, striving to make the school more inclusive for members of the LGBTQ community. He also serves as a “walk-in” adviser for TISS Student Council on LGBTQ issues and has been a member of the school’s drama team.